Age at first conscious ejaculation: a milestone in male puberty.

The age of occurrence of the first conscious ejaculation was registered in 263 boys belonging to two categories: (1) 128 boys (70 normal controls, 22 boys with unilateral cryptorchidism with normal puberty, and 36 boys with delayed puberty) who had been under regular follow-up throughout puberty. All underwent a complete physical examination at intervals of 3 to 6 months, and in most a wrist X-ray was made within three months of the first ejaculation. (2) A group of 135 boys examined and questioned at their school served as additional controls. Eighty of these reported ejaculations. Despite a wide range in the chronological age at occurrence of the first conscious ejaculation, the mean bone age in all groups, including that with delayed puberty, was 13 1/2 +/- 1/2 years (SD), with a range between 12 1/2-15 1/2 years. There was no correlation between the age at first ejaculation and testicular volume, pubic hair or penis length. It is proposed that the age at the first conscious ejaculation be used as an index of maturation in male puberty.